Q. I read your column about fireplaces, and wonder why I can’t get a fire to burn properly in my chimney. All I get is smoke in the room. I’ve had the flue checked and know that the damper is working correctly . . .
more

Q. I’ve been reading about new homeowners who applied for solar panels and found out they unknowingly bought a home that needs to be raised. What a mess! However, I really can’t get a grasp on the scope of the problem and which homes are affected.
more

Q. I want to know what to do about my porch now that we’re selling the house. We changed it from a screened porch to a year-round sunroom (though it’s not heated) about 15 years ago, and thought it was no problem.
more

Q. I know this may be hard to do, but with all the tax increases and tariffs, is it possible to build my new home with all or mostly American materials, and is there a way to control this so that my contractor won’t substitute things I want to be only homegrown, so to speak?
more

Q. I just had my deck and pool replaced. I wanted to do it before spring because I missed getting anyone to do it last summer. Everyone was too busy. I had an architect draw the structure plans but . . .
more

Stunning colonial home with an oversized lot upon arrival at the home. Meticulously maintained home commands a large modernized living room and full eat in kitchen. This 3 story home offers plenty of …
more

Q. We’ve never renovated a home before, and we’re wondering what to expect each of the people we might hire to be able to do for us. For example, do we need an engineer if we hire an architect . . .?
more